Abstract: A verification system configured to determine when customers respond to a real-world ad unit is disclosed. The system comprises: a first camera, a second camera, and a processor. The first camera is mounted at a billboard promoting an associated merchant. The second camera is installed at the merchant where it is configured to capture images of people present at the merchant. The processor is configured to: receive images of a first set of people from the first camera at the billboard; receive images of a second set of people from the second camera at the merchant; and identify a subset of people that appear in the first set and then in the second set. The processor can then generate a conversion rate based on the first set of people and the third set of people. The advertising system is therefore a close-loop system for measuring the effectiveness of advertising.

Abstract: An automated food preparation and delivery robot is disclosed. The automated food preparation and delivery robot comprises a communications system configured to receive a food order and address from a customer, a navigation system configured to automatically drive the vehicle to the address, and an automated food preparation system configured to prepare food in accordance with the food order while en route to the customer address. The automated food preparation system is configured to determine a drive time to travel to the customer address, and determine a preparation time to prepare the food in accordance with the food order. If the drive time is greater than the preparation time, the robot waits and then begins preparing the food after a delay substantially equal to the drive time minus the preparation time. In this manner, preparation of the food coincides with arrival at the customer address.

Abstract: A system and method for localizing an autonomous vehicle using a digital stereo camera mounted to the autonomous vehicle and oriented to obtain images of the road surface. The system comprises an image processor configured to analyze the images of the road surface and identify micro-features, such as pores, holes, cracks, and granular material embedded in the street. The image processor is configured to compile previously obtained images of the road surface into reference mosaics and to compare the micro-features identified in newly obtained images to the reference mosaic to determine the location of the autonomous vehicle. The system may be further configured with a communications module to transmit images and localization information to a database repository or server.

Abstract: A detection system for estimating a weight of one or more items in a refrigerator is disclosed. The system comprises at least one shelf; at least one transducer configured to transmit a sonic or ultrasonic wave into the at least one shelf and capture the reflected or refracted wave from the shelf; and a processor configured to estimate the weight of the one or more items on the shelf from the sonic or ultrasonic wave received from the at least one transducer. The system further comprises a plurality of cameras configured to capture images of the one or more items on the shelf. The cameras are configured to capture images of the items while on the shelf and off the shelf, which are then used to identify the items and the changes in weight of those items. Items may be automatically reorder based on their weight or change in weight.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for heliostat mirror control. Here, each heliostat mirror generates a low intensity “signal beam”, directed at an angle off from the heliostat mirror's high intensity and sensor blinding “main beam” of reflected solar energy. The low intensity signal beams may be created by reflecting a small portion of the incident solar light at an angle from the main beam, by reflected artificial light, or from lasers shinning onto mirrors from known locations. The signal beams are detected by optical sensors mounted way from the main heliostat receiver focus, and can be used in a closed loop control system to efficiently ensure that individual heliostat mirrors in a heliostat array accurately track sunlight and direct the sunlight to a central receiver. Because heliostat mirrors need not be taken “off sun” for positioning, the system allows heliostat arrays to be run at high efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for heliostat mirror control. Here, each heliostat mirror generates a low intensity “signal beam”, directed at an angle off from the heliostat mirror's high intensity and sensor blinding “main beam” of reflected solar energy. The low intensity signal beams may be created by reflecting a small portion of the incident solar light at an angle from the main beam, by reflected artificial light, or from lasers shinning onto mirrors from known locations. The signal beams are detected by optical sensors mounted way from the main heliostat receiver focus, and can be used in a closed loop control system to efficiently ensure that individual heliostat mirrors in a heliostat array accurately track sunlight and direct the sunlight to a central receiver. Because heliostat mirrors need not be taken “off sun” for positioning, the system allows heliostat arrays to be run at high efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for heliostat mirror control. Here, each heliostat mirror generates a low intensity “signal beam”, directed at an angle off from the heliostat mirror's high intensity and sensor blinding “main beam” of reflected solar energy. The low intensity signal beams may be created by reflecting a small portion of the incident solar light at an angle from the main beam, by reflected artificial light, or from lasers shinning onto mirrors from known locations. The signal beams are detected by optical sensors mounted way from the main heliostat receiver focus, and can be used in a closed loop control system to efficiently ensure that individual heliostat mirrors in a heliostat array accurately track sunlight and direct the sunlight to a central receiver. Because heliostat mirrors need not be taken “off sun” for positioning, the system allows heliostat arrays to be run at high efficiency.

Abstract: The invention in one embodiment includes an aiming device coupled to an actuator and an object. The system comprises a base attached to the actuator, and a frame rotatably affixed to the base and the object. The frame and object rotate together about a first axis in response to activation of the actuator, while the object discretely rotates relative to the frame about a second axis different than the first axis each time the frame rotates a predetermined angle relative to the base.

Abstract: A communication device for use in an ad hoc network is disclosed. The device is adapted to concurrently (a) communicate directly with other network nodes, (b) communicate indirectly with other network nodes via intermediate network nodes, and (c) serve as an intermediate network node with respect to other network nodes indirectly communicating with one another. When implementing unicast communications, the communication device employs a CSMA protocol with which to identify and reserve available communication slots defined in accordance with a TDMA protocol without the use of a beacon signal. When implementing multicast communications, the communication device employs a stochastic re-transmission scheme that ensures widespread dissemination of messages with minimal flooding.

Abstract: A design system is accessible to a designer and a plurality of manufacturers. The design system comprises a first user interface configured to receive design information for a component from the designer. The design system further comprises a second user interface configured to receive manufacturing information from the plurality of manufacturers. The manufacturing information comprises at least process cost information. The design system further comprises a database comprising the manufacturing information associated with each of the plurality of manufacturers. The design system further comprises a cost estimation module. The cost estimation module is configured to generate a cost estimate for producing the component for each of the plurality of manufacturers. The cost estimate is at least partially based on the process cost information. The cost estimation module is further configured to output the cost estimate for one or more of the plurality of manufacturers to the first user interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides for quick and efficient searching. One embodiment includes a first instruction configured to read at least a first search string and a second search string entered into a same first search field, and a second instruction configured to incrementally filter search results to locate at least a first document that has a least a first word that begins with the first string and a second word that begins with the second string.

Abstract: The present invention provides for quick and efficient searching. One embodiment includes a first instruction configured to read at least a first search string and a second search string entered into a same first search field, and a second instruction configured to incrementally filter search results to locate at least a first document that has a least a first word that begins with the first string and a second word that begins with the second string.

Abstract: The present invention provides for quick and efficient searching. One embodiment includes a first instruction configured to read at least a first search string and a second search string entered into a same first search field, and a second instruction configured to incrementally filter search results to locate at least a first document that has a least a first word that begins with the first string and a second word that begins with the second string.

Abstract: An automobile collision warning system includes a sensor system configured to generate a sensor signal corresponding to at least a first sensed object in the vicinity of the automobile. A processor is coupled to the sensor system, wherein the processor is configured to determine if a potential collision risk exists based on the sensor signal and to generate a corresponding collision warning signal. A turn signal inhibition apparatus coupled to the processor configured to inhibit movement of a turn signal stalk in response to the collision warning signal, to thereby warn an automobile operator of the potential collision.

Abstract: An optical pressure sensor useable in robotic applications. The optical pressure sensor can be included in a robotic grasping device. The pressure sensor includes a sensor structure having an interior wall and indicia. The indicia, apparent by viewing the interior wall, appearance change in response to pressure on the structure. An image sensor is positioned to view at least a portion of the interior wall, wherein the image sensor is configured to provide images of the indicia as the sensor structure is subject to pressure.